Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-12-16
THE FOURTH PART.
CHAPTER WI

1t was only the 10th OF September when
Agnes and tho children reached Paris. Mrs.
Horbury and her brother Francis had then
already started ON their journey to ltaly-at
least three weeks before the date at which
the new hotel wns to open for the reception
of travellers.
The person answerable for this premature
departure was Francis Westwick.
Like his younger brother Henry, he had
increased his pecuniary resources by his own
enterprise and ingenuity; with this differ
ence, that his speculations were connected
with the arts. He had made money in the
first instance by a weekly newspaper, and be
lad then invested his profits in a London
theater This latter enterprise admirably
conducted, had been rewarded by the public
with steady and liberal encouragement.
Pondering over new form Of theatrical at
traction for the coming winter season, Francis
had determined to revive the languid public
taste for the ballet" by means Of an enter
tainment of his own invention, combining
dramatic interest with dancing. He was
now, accordingly, in search OF the best
dancer possessed Of the Indispensable per-
sonal attractions who was to be found in the
theaters Of the continent. Hearing from his
foreign correspondents Of two women who
had made successful first appearances, one at
Milan and one at Florence, he had arranged
to visit those cities, and to judge Of the merits
Of the dancers for himself before he Joined
the bride and bridegroom. His widowed
sister, having friends at Florence whom she
was anxious to see, readily accompanied him.
The Montbarrys remained at Paris until 1t
was time to present themselves at the family
meeting in Venice. Henry found them still
in the French capital, where he arrived from
London ON his way to the opening of the new
hotel
Against Lady Montbarry's advice, he took
the opportunity Of renewing his addresses to
Agnes. He could hardly have chosen more
unpropitious time for pleading his cause with
her. The gayeties of Paris-quite incompre-
hensible to herself as well Us to every ono
about her-had depressing effect on her
spirits. She had no illness to complain Of.
She shared willingly in the ever varying sue
cession of amusoments offered to strangers by
the ingenuity Of the lveliest people in the
world-but nothing reused her; she remained
persistently dull and weary through it all
In this frame of mind and body she was in
no humor to receive Henry's i'll timed adj
dresses with favor, or even with patience.
She plainly and positively refused to listen to
him. aWhy do you remind me Of what l
have sufferedi' she asked petulantly. "Don't
you see that it has left its mark on me for
ifeY"
AZ thought knew something Of women by
this time" Henry said, appealing privately TO
| Lady Montbarry for consolation; "but Ag-
| mes completely puzzles me. 1t is year since
| Montbarry's death; and she remains as de
voted TO his memory as IL he had died faith.
| full TO her-she still feels the loss of him as
none Of us feel i'll"
sShe Is hetruest woman that ever breathed
the breath Of life" Lady Montbarry
answered. Remember that, and you viii
understand her Can such q woman a
| Agnes give her love or refuse it according q
! circumstances Because the man was un
worthy Of her was he less the man Of het
choicel Tho truest and best friend to him
! little as he deserved-in his lifetime, she nat
urally remains tho truest and best friend tc
| his memory now. If you really love her
wait; and trust to your two best friends-tc
| time and to me- There is my advice; lei
! your own experience decide whether it is not
1 the best advice that l can Offer Resume
! your journey to Venice tomorrow, and when
| you take leave OF Agnes speak to her as cor
daily as il nothing had happened"
Henry wisely followed this advice. Thor
oughly understanding him, Agnes made the
leave taking friendly and pleasant on her
side. When he stopped at the door for last
look at her she hurriedly turned her head so
that her face was hidden from him. Was
that a good signi Lady Mont5arry, accom-
panying Henry down the stairs, said:
"Yes, decidedly Write when you get to
Venice We shall wait here to receive letters
from Arthur and bis wife, and we shall time
our departure for Italy accordingly"
A week passed and no letter came from
Henry. Some days later telegram was re-
ceived from him. It was dispatched from
Milan instead Of from Venice, and it brought
this strange message;
II have left the hotel. VIII return on the
arrival Of Arthur and his wife Address,
meanwhile Albergo Reale, Milan.n
Preferring Venice before all other cities Of
Europe, and having arranged to remain there
until the family meeting took place, what un.
expected event had led Henry to alter his
plansl and why did he state the bare fact,
without adding word OF explanationi Let
the narrative follow him and find the answer
to those questions at Venice.